Come fall, the Portland suburbs will be a legislative battleground as Republicans and Democrats fight over key seats in the Oregon House and Senate. This spring, though, there are only three quietly contested nominations for the House in the metro area.

In House District 37, which takes in Tualatin, West Linn and southern Lake Oswego, a trio of Democrats are vying in a contest that presents voters with distinct choices. They can choose the 30-year-old lawyer from the Portland firm who's making his first try for elective office, the 65-year-old land-use and water expert who's long been active in state politics, or the 41-year-old Tualatin city councilor who seeks to take her energies to the state level.

Each candidate brings strengths, but H. Gerritt Rosenthal of Tualatin is particularly impressive. He has advanced degrees in biochemistry and hydrology and has been immersed for decades in Oregon land-use and environmental issues. He is a progressive Democrat with an independent streak who won't be intimidated by Capitol politics.

His opponents, Will Rasmussen of West Linn and Joelle Davis of Tualatin, are credible alternatives. Rasmussen is a newcomer to the district but has been active in Democratic circles, and Davis offers two years of municipal government experience and empathy for those who face challenging economic and social conditions. Rasmussen has a substantial fundraising advantage.

In North Portland, citizen activist Richard Ellmyer has challenged incumbent Rep. Tina Kotek for the Democratic nomination in House District 44. Kotek, 43, is finishing up her second two-year term in the House. She's among the core of bright young liberals in the Democratic caucus, where she serves in a leadership role as majority whip.

Ellmyer, 63, has been a persistent voice on health care and public housing issues, but his activism is better suited for operating outside a legislative body. Kotek, meanwhile, has worked effectively on a broad range of children's issues, including successful efforts to provide health care coverage to thousands more kids and extend care to foster children up to age 21.

Kotek was among the House Democrats who insisted that the tax bills that became Measures 66 and 67 include permanent increases in taxes on business and the upper-income. While that was a mistake that Democrats elsewhere in the state may pay for in November, Kotek's politics and priorities generally are aligned with her heavily Democratic North Portland district, which includes St. Johns, Hayden Island and east along Columbia Boulevard to the Portland airport. Kotek is clearly the best choice in this election.

In House District 51, which stretches from Southeast Portland to Boring and Damascus, two Republicans are competing in the primary for the seat being vacated by Democrat Brent Barton, who's running for the Senate.

The race pits small-business consultant Patrick Sheehan, 35, against newcomer John Swanson, 25, who's making his first try for public office but has political and organizational experience beyond his years. Swanson is bright, astute and likable. Through his involvement in the College Republicans organization, which he served as state chairman, the number of chapters grew from six to 22, raised $100,000 and created internships for young Republicans in Salem. Swanson worked in the legislative office of Sen. Jason Atkinson of Central Point and was preparing to help with his gubernatorial campaign. After Atkinson chose not to run for governor, Swanson decided to run for office himself and moved into District 51 to pursue the open seat.

Sheehan has experience working with his business clients and also serves as an instructor at Clackamas Community College. He touts his deeper experience in District 51, where he has lived for seven years. He might be a fine representative, but Swanson, in our view, could become an excellent one.